Bellator 207 Heavyweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals: Bader vs Mitrione

The Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix semi-finals will take place on October 12th and 13th

Ryan Bader and Matt Mitrione meet on Friday, October 12th at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut for the first semi-final clash

Mitrione is natural heavyweight on a four-fight winning streak while Bader is the light heavyweight champ taking on his second heavyweight fight

The Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix returns with two semi-finals in two days. Ryan Bader and Matt Mitrione meet on Friday, October 12th at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut for the first fight between the final four.

It’s been four months since the last Heavyweight Grand Prix fight, so we can’t wait to see some of the best of Bellator’s 265 lb division back in the cage. Here are he odds!

Bellator 207 Odds: Ryan Bader vs Matt Mitrione

Light Heavyweight champ Ryan Bader (25-5) opens as the clear betting favorite against Matt Mitrione (13-5) for the first Heavyweight Grand Prix semi-final. That’s a little surprising to me, given Mitrione’s undefeated record at Bellator and Bader’s inexperience at heavyweight.

Bader has established himself as on of the best light heavyweights in the world and made his Bellator debut by beating Phil Davis for the 205 lb title. He made his heavyweight debut in May when he took on King Mo at the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals, stopping him in just 15 seconds.

Mitrione is a career heavyweight and has been undefeated since signing with Bellator in 2016. His recent first-round KO of Fedor Emelianenko this year showed that the 40-year-old is still a threat to any opponent he faces. Three of his last four fights have ended in knockouts.

Ryan Bader vs Matt Mitrione Tale of the Tape

bader

VS

mitrione

23-5

RECORD

13-5

3-0

BELLATOR RECORD

4-0

6 ft 2 in

HEIGHT

6 ft 3 in

74 in

REACH

79 in

225 lbs

LAST WEIGHT

254 lbs

5 Fights

CURRENT WINNING STREAK

4 Fights

2.82

SIG. STRIKE PER MIN

3.55

It makes sense for Bader to be the favorite. Mitrione has a poor wrestling game and Bader is a decorated two-time All-American. While Mitrione probably has the heavier hands, Bader is the younger and more complete fighter.

It makes sense for Bader to be the favorite. Mitrione has a poor wrestling game and Bader is a decorated two-time All-American.

The only question is whether the natural 205er can handle the size difference. Bader made his heavyweight debut against Muhammed Lawal, who is pretty small for the division, so we still don’t know how he’ll deal with a significant size disadvantage. Mitrione weighed in at 254 lbs for the quarter-final while Bader came in significantly lighter at 225. We should expect something similar for the semi-final.

The size difference could nullify Bader’s grappling game, which would strip him of his clearest path to victory. Mitrione looked like a fish out of water when Roy Nelson took him to the mat in their last fight, and a fighter like Bader could really make him pay if given top control.

We’ve never seen Bader hang with a true heavyweight, though, so it makes little sense for him to be such a heavy favorite at -275. Mitrione is nearing the end of his fighting career but he still carries all his power with him. There’s value in the Meathead.

Don Aguero is a man of many talents, writing about nearly anything you can put odds to. Don has been writing for SportsBettingDime since 2015, covering sports, entertainment and politics. You name it, he's covered it! He is also a steadfast West Ham fan, and has learned to embrace that suffering.

Picks You Need to Win Sent to Your Inbox

The handicapping and odds information (both sports and entertainment) found on SportsBettingDime.com is strictly for entertainment purposes. Furthermore, the unique odds we produce in select news articles are also for amusement, and are not available to be wagered on. We are not a sportsbook and do not take any wagers. We do not endorse illegal online gambling. Before placing any wagers with any of the links advertising betting sites, please check the online gambling regulations in your jurisdiction, as they do vary. SportsBettingDime.com does not target any individuals under the age of 18. Using any of the information found at SportsBettingDime.com to violate any law or statute is prohibited. SportsBettingDime.com is not supported by or linked to any professional, college or university league, association, or team. For further guidelines please visit our responsible online gambling page. Terms & Conditions apply to all bonus offers advertised. Please visit sportsbook operators for details.